Chapter 469: Mo He Tian's Strategic Play, Xiao Yan vs. the Western Battle Emperor
"Heh, you're not even an Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, yet you think you can represent White Jade Capital just because you're Xiao Tiance's cousin?"
The Western Battle Emperor's words stirred murmurs of curiosity among the crowd. Many watched with anticipation, eager for a spectacle.
On the main stage, Xiao Yan heard this and no longer wanted Xiao Xuan to intervene. But before he could rise, a familiar voice whispered in his ear:
"Xiao Yan, it's not the right time for you to step forward. Let your ancestor Xiao Xuan handle this."
Xiao Yan's eyes scanned the crowd below, but he couldn't spot Xiao Tiance anywhere.
At the same time, Xiao Xuan heard a voice:
"Brother Xuan, they want to play. Humor them."
Xiao Xuan smirked. His spiritual energy burst forth like a tidal wave, silencing the whispers as his cold gaze fell on the Western Battle Emperor and Mo He Tian.
"If I say I can represent White Jade Capital, would anyone here object?" Xiao Xuan's voice was sharp and commanding.
"Hmph, your words don't count," Mo He Tian sneered.
Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. "I am the Governor of the Capital City of White Jade Capital. If my words don't count, whose do?
"Or perhaps you, Mo He Tian, young lord of the Mohe Ancient Clan, believe you can dictate White Jade Capital's affairs? Maybe the Western Battle Emperor can?"
His laughter was laced with mockery, offering neither of them a shred of respect.
Mo He Tian's Trap
Mo He Tian and the Western Battle Emperor exchanged glances, momentarily speechless. What Xiao Xuan said was undeniably true.
After a brief pause, Mo He Tian waved dismissively, masking his irritation. "Alright, Governor Xiao, you've made your point. We don't intend to cause a direct conflict with White Jade Capital today.
"Back during White Jade Capital's founding ceremony, I had the honor of crossing swords with Xiao Tiance. His strength earned my respect.
"But today, it's the Endless Flame Territory's founding ceremony. I simply want to test Domain Master Xiao Yan's strength. Surely, there's no harm in that?"
His tone turned sharp as he added, "In the Great Thousand World, respect is earned through strength, not by hiding behind others.
"Everyone knows the close ties between White Jade Capital and the Endless Flame Territory. After all, Domain Master Xiao Yan is a descendant of the Xiao Clan.
"But at an event like this, Governor Xiao, are you sure you want to step in for him? Or does Domain Master Xiao Yan lack the courage to face me?"
Mo He Tian's voice grew louder. "If so, that's fine. Let Xiao Yan publicly admit that he's no match for me. Then we'll consider the Endless Flame Territory unworthy of being called a superpower, and I'll leave without wasting anyone's time."
Xiao Yan Steps In
Xiao Xuan's face darkened. Mo He Tian had carefully sidestepped direct confrontation with White Jade Capital, framing the challenge in a way that left Xiao Yan no choice but to respond.
On the stage, Xiao Yan's face turned grim. His fists clenched under his long sleeves, nails biting into his palms. His gaze locked onto Mo He Tian and the Western Battle Emperor, whose smug expressions only fueled his anger.
After a tense pause, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Ancestor Xiao Xuan, but since Senior Mo He Tian is so eager to witness my strength, I suppose I shouldn't decline."
Xiao Xuan sighed, resigning himself to the situation as he sat back down.
Xiao Yan rose and addressed the crowd, his voice steady and clear.
"Today marks a joyous occasion for the Endless Flame Territory. I'd hoped to avoid any conflict on such an auspicious day after all, spilling blood would be inauspicious.
"However, since Senior Mo He Tian and the Western Battle Emperor are so insistent, refusing them would make me seem cowardly.
"So, tell me will you both fight together, or one at a time?"
The Western Battle Emperor's Challenge
"Hmph, we won't need to fight together to deal with you," the Western Battle Emperor said, stepping forward with a cold snort. "I'll go first and see if you have what it takes to call yourself a ruler."
He dismissed Xiao Yan as no more than a mid stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, confident his own late stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign strength would guarantee an easy victory.
While power levels in the Great Thousand World didn't always dictate the outcome of battles, higher cultivation levels provided significant advantages. To the Western Battle Emperor, Xiao Yan was no Xiao Tiance, and he was no longer the same as the man who once suffered at Xiao Tiance's hands.
"Very well, then. I'll gladly learn from you, Western Battle Emperor," Xiao Yan replied with a hearty laugh, his tone brimming with confidence.
The two flew into the sky, their figures shimmering before vanishing into the void.
Battle in the Void
The scene shifted to a silent expanse of starry void, where countless stars twinkled faintly against the darkness. It was eerily quiet, as if they had stepped into a distant corner of the universe.
Xiao Yan stood tall, his black robe fluttering like a blade cutting through the void. His handsome face was sharp with determination, and his eyes glimmered with multicolored flames. Torrents of spiritual energy radiated from his body, while an array of exotic flames danced around him, emanating an aura that made even the strongest feel uneasy. He seemed like a fire god descending upon the battlefield.
On the opposite side, the Western Battle Emperor exuded a majestic and oppressive aura. His golden hair gleamed like the sun, and his battle hardened face was chiseled like a statue. His body radiated overwhelming power, encased in gleaming battle armor.
The aura of his Ancient War Emperor Physique ranked 24th on the Supreme Physique Rankings further amplified his imposing presence.
The Clash Begins
As the two locked eyes, the air seemed to crackle with invisible energy. Their gazes clashed like colliding stars, sparking an intense, palpable pressure.
In an instant, the temperature around them spiked as the energy swirling between them began to build.
"This is the Western Battle Emperor, the master of the Western Battle Hall," Xiao Yan thought, narrowing his eyes. "His strength is every bit as formidable as his title suggests the Emperor of a Hundred Battles."
For his part, the Western Battle Emperor maintained a calm arrogance but kept his guard up. He could sense the raw power of Xiao Yan's strange flames, and he knew better than to underestimate his opponent entirely.
The stage was set, and the battle to prove the strength of the Endless Flame Territory was about to erupt.
Xiao Yan suddenly moved, darting toward the Western Battle Emperor like a gust of wind.
As he charged, the Heavy Xuan Ruler appeared in his hands, enveloped in his spiritual energy. The ruler radiated searing heat, its surface flickering with Heavenly Flames. With a swift motion, Xiao Yan swung it, generating ear piercing sonic booms as it sliced through the void.
The Western Battle Emperor sneered. His body transformed into a streak of golden light, shooting toward Xiao Yan with lightning speed. In an instant, a war halberd materialized in his hands, exuding overwhelming momentum and crackling with devastating power.
The First Clash
"Boom!"
The halberd and the Heavy Xuan Ruler collided, unleashing a deafening explosion. The collision of fire and golden light created dazzling flashes that lit up the void, while the violent energy waves rippled outward, shaking the fabric of space itself.
Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly, but his eyes remained resolute. Instead of retreating, he advanced, swinging the Heavy Xuan Ruler again with a force that seemed capable of incinerating everything in its path.
The Western Battle Emperor smirked coldly. His halberd transformed into a spinning golden vortex, drawing in the fiery energy from Xiao Yan's attack.
After this brief exchange, the two seemed evenly matched. However, in that fleeting moment, the Western Battle Emperor had gauged Xiao Yan's strength.
"Hmph, nothing remarkable," he snorted, sneering. With a sudden surge of force, he sent Xiao Yan flying backward.
Million Grasping Hands
The Western Battle Emperor raised his hand, his voice low and commanding:
"Million Grasping Hands!"
His hand expanded into a colossal golden palm, its surface engraved with countless intricate battle runes. The hand descended from above, infused with immense spiritual energy and unstoppable momentum, aiming directly at Xiao Yan.
He was confident that this strike, executed with full force and no hesitation, would end the fight swiftly.
Xiao Yan Responds
Xiao Yan remained calm, his face frosty. As he watched the massive golden palm hurtling toward him, he smirked.
"A mere divine skill like this do you think it can defeat me, Xiao Yan?"
Emperor Seal Technique – Five Seals Combined!
Xiao Yan's hands moved rapidly, forming intricate seals. One after another, palm imprints appeared in front of him, overlapping with dazzling speed. Before the golden palm could reach him, Xiao Yan thrust his hands forward.
"Boom!"
A massive energy imprint surged from Xiao Yan, colliding with the descending golden palm. The impact was cataclysmic, like two nuclear explosions detonating simultaneously.
Mockery and Counterattack
The Western Battle Emperor's face betrayed a flicker of surprise at the power of Xiao Yan's counterattack. However, disappointment quickly replaced it.
"Hmph, compared to Xiao Tiance using this same technique, you're nothing, Xiao Yan. Your strike doesn't even qualify to carry his shoes too weak."
The Western Battle Emperor's tone dripped with mockery. He recalled witnessing Xiao Tiance's similar technique during a battle against Mo He Tian at the Ice Spirit Clan. Xiao Tiance's strike had not only defeated Mo He Tian but nearly killed him. If not for Mo He Tian's protective jade amulet, which had activated to save him, the incident could have escalated into a war between White Jade Capital and the Mohe Ancient Clan.
By comparison, Xiao Yan's version of the technique had only managed to block the Western Battle Emperor's attack without countering effectively.
Xiao Yan's expression darkened as he snorted. "I may not be as strong as Xiao Tiance, but it seems your strength isn't particularly impressive either, Western Battle Emperor."
"Is that so? Then let's continue!" the Western Battle Emperor retorted with a cold laugh. He unleashed another attack, his fist glowing with divine energy.
War Emperor Spirit Fist!
A colossal fist imprint, imbued with immense spiritual energy, materialized and surged toward Xiao Yan like an unstoppable storm.
Xiao Yan's Retaliation
Xiao Yan remained undaunted. The Heavenly Flames swirled around the Heavy Xuan Ruler as he swung it powerfully.
Emperor Flame: Flame Splitting Wave Ruler!
"Boom!"
This time, Xiao Yan unleashed his full strength. The Heavy Xuan Ruler collided with the massive fist imprint, shattering it with a thunderous crack.
"Crack! Crack!"
The fist imprint disintegrated, and Xiao Yan's attack continued its trajectory toward the Western Battle Emperor.
"Interesting!" the Western Battle Emperor chuckled. With a swift motion, he deflected the attack with a powerful swipe of his hand.
The War Spirit Cauldron
Not stopping there, the Western Battle Emperor formed a series of hand seals. A massive golden cauldron materialized before him, spinning rapidly.
Xiao Yan's expression turned serious as he recognized the technique.
The War Spirit Unyielding Cauldron was one of the Western Battle Emperor's ultimate skills, a divine technique capable of trapping even Heavenly Sovereigns.
As the cauldron spun, countless illusory figures emerged from its surface, their auras menacing and overwhelming.
The Western Battle Emperor laughed loudly. "Xiao Yan, try breaking this War Spirit Unyielding Cauldron! Even the Profound Demon Emperor would be trapped and crushed by it."
Xiao Yan's face darkened as he sensed the cauldron's immense threat. But he remained resolute.
Xiao Yan's Trump Card
"Xiao Yi, come out!"
At Xiao Yan's call, a small, adorable creature flew out of his body. The moment it appeared, the surrounding space seemed to distort, as if a volcano had erupted in the vacuum of space.
This was Xiao Yi, a fire spirit born from the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, one of the most powerful Heavenly Flames.
"Yiya!" Xiao Yi chirped cheerfully, circling around Xiao Yan before spitting out a ball of radiant flame. In an instant, the flame condensed into a beautiful lotus flower brimming with destructive energy.
The Western Battle Emperor's eyes narrowed as he felt an overwhelming sense of danger emanating from the lotus.
"So, this is your trump card, Xiao Yan? No wonder you, a mere mid stage Immortal Heavenly Sovereign, dare to challenge me."
Xiao Yan smirked. "War Emperor, whether it is or not why don't we find out?"
The battle was far from over, and the stage was set for a decisive clash.
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